Large Weight Gains and Losses
Weight Loss/Gain Study Aim
To examine the prevalence and correlates of large weight gains and losses
over a 3-year period in a heterogeneous population of participants in
a study of weight gain prevention.
Weight Loss/Gain Study Design &
Measurements
Analyses based on a cohort of 823 participants in a weight gain prevention
study whose weight was measured on at least two of four annual examinations.
Weight Loss/Gain Study Results
Weight gains and losses of 5 percent body weight over 1 year were observed
in 9.3 and 15 percent of the population, respectively. Weight gains among
those initially losing weight were significantly greater (3.9 kg) than
among those experiencing stable weight (0.8 kg) or a large weight gain
(1.5 kg) over the following 2 years. Cumulative weight changes over 3
years were -2.6, 1.0 and 7.6 kg among large loss, weight stable and large
gain groups, respectively. Large weight loss was more common in smokers,
large gains were more common in younger people and in those with a more
extensive weight loss history, and stable weight was observed more often
in individuals with less extensive histories of weight loss.
Weight Loss/Gain Study Conclusion
The high prevalence of large short-term weight gains and losses in this
heterogeneous population, their apparent resistance to short-term reversal,
and the strength of their relationship to longer-term weight trends suggest
that rapid weight change over relatively short time intervals is a phenomenon
that deserves more research attention. Short periods of rapid weight gain
may contribute importantly to rapidly rising obesity rates.
Source: International Journal of Obesity
(2002)
|
com